Last week, NBA fans were treated to a shockingly pleasant surprise regarding All-Star Weekend when the Slam Dunk Contest line-up was released. After years of unremarkable contests, the NBA has shaken up the contest with a new format and the deepest line-up of dunkers since Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse, Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady all competed in 2000. To defend his 2013 title, Terrence Ross will need to defeat John Wall, Paul George, Damian Lillard, Harrison Barnes and Ben McLemore this Saturday night. For the first time since 1988, three All-Stars are competing in the dunk contest. And, with the talent of the other dunkers, some reporters are suggesting this might be the best dunk contest ever.
The promise of a strong dunk contest comes at a perfect time for the NBA and its fans. In recent years, the dunk contest has usually been a joke, as no-name rookies compete against other non-superstars. With the exception of Dwight Howard and Blake Griffin, the league’s better-known players have declined invitations to compete in the dunk contest. LeBron James is the best example of this, as he has never showcased his ferocious jams. For elite players, the event has gained such a poor reputation that they avoid it in order to prevent potential injury or embarrassment. As a result, the epic battles between Dominique Wilkins, Julius Erving and Michael Jordan for dunking supremacy seem like they may never be matched again.
After Jeremy Evans and Terrence Ross won the past two dunk contests, the NBA realized it had to showcase elite talent to get stronger ratings, better dunks and more fan interest in the event. Fortunately, the league delivered this year. When utilized correctly, the dunk contest offers rising young stars the opportunity to become household names. After all, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter are just two examples of superstars who used the contest as a springboard to stardom. Since George, Wall and Lillard play in small markets and do not get significant national exposure, the 2014 Dunk Contest will be a huge opportunity for them to introduce themselves to casual fans. With potential endorsement deals and “SportsCenter” fame on the line, viewers should have high expectations for the quality of this contest. Even the non-All Stars in the contest have something to prove; Terrence Ross will try to defend his dunking title. The winner this year will certainly be better recognized than in years past, and may even reach superstar status with the victory.
Anyone who cares about basketball should watch the dunk contest this Saturday night. Even non-hoops fans should appreciate the spectacle of the dunk contest, which encourages competitors to be innovative and tenacious at the same time. Most dunk contests in our lifetime have been pretty mundane, but this one deserves the benefit of the doubt.
— Dominic Kearns
